The Rattlin' Bog
Will Millar Lyrics
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The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlinโฒ tree,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlinโฒ tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Now, on this tree,
There was a limb,
A rare limb,
A rattlinโฒ limb,
The limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Now, on this limb,
There was a branch,
A rare branch,
A rattlinโฒ branch,
The branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
On this branch,
There was a twig,
A rare twig,
A rattlin' twig,
The twig on the branch
And the branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
On this twig,
There was a nest,
A rare nest,
A rattlinโฒ nest,
The nest on the twig,
And the twig on the branch,
And the branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
In the nest,
There was an egg,
A rare egg,
A rattlinโฒ egg,
The egg in the nest,
And the nest on the twig,
And the twig on the branch,
And the branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlinโฒ tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
On the egg,
There was a bird,
A rare bird,
A rattlinโฒ bird,
The bird on the egg,
And the egg in the nest,
And the nest on the twig,
And the twig on the branch,
And the branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
On the bird,
There was feather,
A rare feather,
A rattlinโฒ feather,
The feather on the bird,
And the bird on the egg,
And the egg in the nest,
And the nest on the twig,
And the twig on the branch,
And the branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
On the feather,
There was a flea,
A rare flea,
A rattlin' flea
The flea on the feather,
And the feather on the bird,
And the bird on the egg,
And the egg in the nest,
And the nest on the twig,
And the twig on the branch,
And the branch on the limb,
And the limb on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
The bog down in the valley-oh
Now, in this bog,
There was a tree,
A rare tree,
A rattlin' tree,
The tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-oh!
"The Rattlin' Bog" is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a bog in the valley with a unique tree that has a rattling limb, a rattling branch, a rattling twig, and even a rattling flea. It is said that the song has originated from a children's game where they build a tower out of their arms and add a new element to it with each verse until it collapses. However, the lyrics also contain some symbolism and imagery that can be interpreted in different ways.
The song describes a rare and distinctive tree that grows in a bog, an environment that is typically considered unhealthy and unpleasant. However, the tree seems to flourish and even produce life, as evidenced by the nest, egg, bird, feather, and flea that are introduced in each verse. The rattling of each element implies movement and vitality, as if they are all connected in a dynamic web of life. At the same time, the repetition of the phrases "the bog down in the valley-oh" and "oh ho the rattlin' bog" creates a sense of cyclical and endless motion that can be seen as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death.
Overall, "The Rattlin' Bog" is a playful and entertaining song that captures the spirit of Irish folk music. It celebrates the beauty of nature and the interconnectedness of all living things, while also acknowledging the impermanence and fragility of life. The song invites us to appreciate the small and seemingly insignificant elements of our world, and to find joy in the simplicity of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh ho the rattlinโฒ bog
This song is about the rattling bog.
The bog down in the valley-oh
The bog being referred to is located in a valley.
Now, in this bog, There was a tree, A rare tree, A rattlinโฒ tree, The tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-oh!
A rare and rattling tree was found in this bog that's situated in a valley.
Now, on this tree, There was a limb, A rare limb, A rattlinโฒ limb, The limb on the tree, And the tree in the bog, A rattlinโฒ tree,
On the rattling tree found in the bog, there was a rare and rattling limb.
Now, on this limb, There was a branch, A rare branch, A rattlinโฒ branch, The branch on the limb, And the limb on the tree, On this branch,
On the rare and rattling limb, there was another rare and rattling branch.
There was a twig, A rare twig, A rattlin' twig, The twig on the branch And the branch on the limb,
On the rare and rattling branch, there was another rare and rattling twig.
On this twig, There was a nest, A rare nest, A rattlinโฒ nest, The nest on the twig, And the twig on the branch,
On the rare and rattling twig, there was a rare and rattling nest.
In the nest, There was an egg, A rare egg, A rattlinโฒ egg, The egg in the nest And the nest on the twig,
Inside the rare and rattling nest, there was a rare and rattling egg.
On the egg, There was a bird, A rare bird, A rattlinโฒ bird, The bird on the egg, And the egg in the nest,
On the rare and rattling egg, there was a rare and rattling bird.
On the bird, There was feather, A rare feather, A rattlinโฒ feather, The feather on the bird, And the bird on the egg,
On the rare and rattling bird, there was a rare and rattling feather.
On the feather, There was a flea, A rare flea, A rattlin' flea The flea on the feather, And the feather on the bird,
On the rare and rattling feather, there was a rare and rattling flea.
Writer(s): Will Millar
Contributed by Isabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@elizabethholis237
I love this song. I came here from the Wedding party signing it a 5am. She does a longer version and it's awesome.
@clarence4343
Same same
@isamartin3201
Me too
@TheNeoNihilist
I think I just saw this on reddit it was epic!!!!
@zephyr489
@@TheNeoNihilist me tooo
@whatevs00
Iโd be more surprised if some of us WERENโT here from that clip
@michaelfox7055
My dad can sing this word for word. Gotta love my heritage๐ฎ๐ช๐บ๐ธ
@dntskdnttll
He is not the only one, I have met others of my parents' age who know it... Not all Irish, either. I assume that some teachers (who from their story taught it in Music at school) would have had Irish heritage. Unfortunately it seems like this kind of thing has been devalued and started to be lost over time. I hope there is a real revival like other descendants of immigrants have tried to do. <3 <3
@matthewcavrich9468
My wife occasionally breaks out in this, I'm here for it!
@rogartstudio
Anyone came here after the wedding girl singing at 5AM?